Beyond Borders: The Immigration Evaluation Podcast

Mariela G. Shibley, Psy.D.
  • 5.0 (6)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

Hey there, and welcome to Beyond Borders: The Immigration Evaluation Podcast! If you're new here, I’m Dr. Mariela Shibley, and this is the podcast for mental health professionals who want to expand their practice and make a real impact through immigration psychological evaluations.Here, you'll learn how to confidently conduct evaluations, connect with attorneys to gain referrals, and create a thriving practice. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the legal jargon, unsure about how to break into this field, or wondered how to turn your expertise into a sought-after service, this is the podcast for you.Expect deep dives into immigration evaluation processes, best practices for working with attorneys, and expert guidance on writing a thorough report. So, if you're ready to master immigration evaluations and grow a meaningful, sustainable practice, hit that subscribe button and get ready for Beyond Borders: The Immigration Evaluation Podcast. Can’t wait to have you along for the ride!

  1. FEB 24

    A Comprehensive Foundation In Immigration Evaluations For Clinicians Ready To Start

    When an immigration judge or USCIS officer is reviewing a case, they're often looking for evidence that goes beyond legal arguments. That’s where we come in. As immigration evaluators, we translate human suffering into clinically grounded, legally relevant documentation. And when we do this well—when the evaluation is thorough, objective, and clearly tied to legal standards—it can carry enormous weight. In this episode, I walk you through the major types of immigration cases where mental health professionals document psychological impact: extreme hardship waivers, cancellation of removal, VAWA, U-Visas, T-Visas, and Asylum. You’ll learn: ✅ What each case type requires ✅ What the legal standards actually mean (like "extreme hardship" vs. "exceptional and extremely unusual hardship") ✅ And how your clinical skills translate into legally relevant documentation that carries weight in court  So if you’re already offering immigration evaluations or thinking of adding it to your practice, today’s episode will take you through the major types of immigration evaluations clinicians encounter—and what each one asks of you. 📘 Not Sure Where to Start as an Evaluator? Download our Free Guide to learn the essentials and see if this work is the right fit for you. 👉 Get the free guide If you want a clear, ethical, and clinically grounded framework for writing evaluations that protect your clients and your license, the Expert Training in Immigration Evaluations will give you the structure and support you need. 👉 Learn More Here 📲 Stay Connected and Grow Your Expertise 🔹 Instagram 🔹 Facebook 🔹 LinkedIn  🌟 Join our private Facebook community for deeper discussions, peer support, and access to valuable training opportunities. 👉 Click here to join the group

    39 min

  2. FEB 10

    Understanding Competency in Immigration Court

    Competency in immigration court is not the same as competency in criminal court, and misunderstanding that difference can have serious consequences. In this episode, you’ll learn: What competency actually means in immigration proceedingsWhy it is so often misunderstood by cliniciansHow immigration competency evaluations differ from anything most of us were trained to doI explain when competency becomes an issue, what adjudicators are really assessing, and how mental health professionals can stay within their expert role while addressing high-stakes legal questions. This episode is for any clinician who wants clarity, ethical grounding, and a deeper understanding of how competency functions in immigration court, especially as referrals in this area continue to increase. 📘 Not Sure Where to Start as an Evaluator? Download our Free Guide to learn the essentials and see if this work is the right fit for you. 👉 Get the free guide If you want a clear, ethical, and clinically grounded framework for writing evaluations that protect your clients and your license, the Expert Training in Immigration Evaluations will give you the structure and support you need. 👉 Learn More Here 📲 Follow Us to Grow Your Expertise 🔹 Instagram 🔹 Facebook 🔹 LinkedIn  🌟 Join our private Facebook community for deeper discussions, peer support, and access to valuable training opportunities. 👉 Click here to join the group

    15 min

  3. JAN 27

    From Trauma to Functioning: How Asylum Evaluations are Changing

    Asylum evaluations are changing, and many clinicians are being asked to assess functioning and vulnerability, not trauma. In this episode, Mariela breaks down a growing trend in asylum cases where individuals did not flee persecution or experience past trauma, but now face removal despite serious psychological, cognitive, or developmental vulnerabilities.  These cases require a different clinical lens, one focused on current functioning, safety, and capacity rather than fear of past harm. In this episode, you’ll learn: How asylum evaluations are shifting from trauma-focused narratives to assessments of current functioning and vulnerabilityWhat attorneys are asking clinicians to evaluate in vulnerability-based asylum cases, including cognitive capacity, judgment, and ability to survive independentlyHow to assess functional impairment and risk without drifting into legal conclusions or country conditions analysisWhy these cases often overlap with competency to proceed concerns in immigration courtHow to stay grounded in your expert clinical role while supporting attorneys working to protect highly vulnerable individualsIf you are starting to receive referrals where trauma history is minimal but functioning and safety are not, this episode will help you understand what you are actually being asked to evaluate and how to do it ethically. 📘 Not Sure Where to Start as an Evaluator? Download our Free Guide to learn the essentials and see if this work is the right fit for you. 👉 Get the free guide If you are serious about doing immigration evaluations with care and precision, this work deserves more than guesswork. With the right training and guidance, you can write evaluations that honor trauma, stay within your expert role, and genuinely contribute to fair outcomes for families navigating the immigration system. 👉 Learn More Here 📲 Follow Us to Grow Your Expertise 🔹 Instagram 🔹 Facebook 🔹 LinkedIn  🌟 Join our private Facebook community for deeper discussions, peer support, and access to valuable training opportunities. 👉 Click here to join the group

    13 min

  4. JAN 14

    Inside the Mind of an Immigration Judge: A Conversation with David Koelsch

    If you’ve ever wondered how immigration judges actually read and use psychological evaluations, today’s episode is for you. Former immigration judge and USCIS asylum office supervisor David Koelsch shares what truly makes an evaluation credible, useful, and persuasive in immigration court. Drawing on decades of experience reviewing hundreds of evaluations, he explains what judges notice first, why structure and clarity matter more than length, and how common mistakes like legal conclusions, excessive detail, or advocacy language can quietly weaken a case. In this conversation, we explore: What signals to a judge that an evaluation will be helpfulWhy less factual detail is often more effectiveHow to stay in your expert role without drifting into legal analysisCommon pitfalls that raise credibility concernsWhen judges rely most heavily on psychological evaluationsWhy specialized training in immigration evaluations mattersIf you conduct immigration evaluations or are considering adding this work to your practice, this episode offers rare clarity from someone who sat on the other side of the bench. 📘 Not Sure Where to Start as an Evaluator? Download our Free Guide to learn the essentials and see if this work is the right fit for you. 👉 Get the free guide If you are serious about doing immigration evaluations with care and precision, this work deserves more than guesswork. With the right training and guidance, you can write evaluations that honor trauma, stay within your expert role, and genuinely contribute to fair outcomes for families navigating the immigration system. 👉 Learn More Here 📲 Follow Us to Grow Your Expertise 🔹 Instagram 🔹 Facebook 🔹 LinkedIn  🌟 Join our private Facebook community for deeper discussions, peer support, and access to valuable training opportunities. 👉 Click here to join the group

    48 min

  5. 12/02/2025

    Toward Evidence-Based Immigration Evaluations: A Conversation with Dr. Andrew Rasmussen

    If you’ve ever worried whether your immigration evaluations are truly meeting what attorneys and judges need, this episode will change how you practice. Psychologist and researcher Dr. Andrew Rasmussen is leading the first national, empirically grounded study on what makes psychological evaluations effective in immigration court. He breaks down what attorneys consistently say they want, what they don’t, and where evaluators unintentionally undermine cases. We explore why a clear referral question matters, how too much (or too little) detail can backfire, and why “PTSD-only” reports often fail to support legal claims. You’ll learn how to stay in your expert role, link findings to the specific relief sought, and write with the court’s actual reader in mind... without drifting into legal conclusions. 🔗To follow Dr. Rasmussen’s research and the development of new evaluation guidelines, visit his project website and connect with him on LinkedIn. 🎓 Become an Expert Immigration Evaluator Join our Certificate Training Program to gain the skills and confidence needed to conduct effective immigration evaluations. 👉 Learn More Here 📘 Not Sure Where to Start as an Evaluator? Download our Free Guide to learn the essentials and see if this work is the right fit for you. 👉 Get your free guide 📲 Follow Us to Grow Your Expertise 🔹Instagram 🔹 Facebook 🔹 LinkedIn  🌟 Join our private Facebook community for deeper discussions, peer support, and access to valuable training opportunities. 👉 Click here to join the group

    50 min

  6. 11/04/2025

    When Client Fears Undermine Credibility: The Art of Conveying Anxiety Without Exaggeration

    When a client’s fear sounds irrational on paper, it can quietly undermine their credibility, even when the emotion behind it is completely valid. This episode explores how to translate those fears into clear, compassionate language that preserves both emotional truth and clinical accuracy. Using real examples of clients who catastrophize medical results or describe relocation in dramatic terms, you’ll learn how context, framing, and careful wording can transform a report from questionable to credible. You’ll also hear practical strategies for validating emotion, reframing extreme statements, and applying trauma-informed thinking so that your evaluations remain both authentic and persuasive. Ready to Make an Impact? If you’re serious about doing immigration evaluations right way—without risking real lives—get the training and mentorship you need. 🎓💡  Use your skills to help level the playing field ⚖️ and make a real difference in people's lives.  🎓 Become an Expert Immigration Evaluator Join our Certificate Training Program to gain the skills and confidence needed to conduct effective immigration evaluations. 👉 Learn More Here 📘 Not Sure Where to Start as an Evaluator? Download our Free Guide to learn the essentials and see if this work is the right fit for you. 👉 Get your free guide 📲 Follow Us to Grow Your Expertise 🔹 Instagram 🔹 Facebook 🔹 LinkedIn  🌟 Join our private Facebook community for deeper discussions, peer support, and access to valuable training opportunities. 👉 Click here to join the group

    13 min

  7. 10/21/2025

    Confidence in Immigration Court with Gabrielle Bryan, LCSW

    Testifying in immigration court can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Retired Army behavioral health officer and clinical social worker Gabrielle Bryan, LCSW, shares how she developed confidence as an expert witness and what mental health professionals can do to prepare for court with clarity and calm. Drawing on her 20 years in military behavioral health and her full-time immigration evaluation practice, Gabrielle and Mariela discuss what to expect in virtual court, how to handle nerves and cross-examination, and how courtroom experiences can strengthen report writing. With warmth and candor, Gabrielle reminds clinicians that credibility comes from preparation, honesty, and self-assurance—and that showing, not telling, is the key to being a confident expert witness. Ready to Make an Impact? If you’re serious about doing immigration evaluations right way—without risking real lives—get the training and mentorship you need. 🎓💡  Use your skills to help level the playing field ⚖️ and make a real difference in people's lives.  🧠 Join our Monthly Consultation Group  Get expert support, case feedback, and community with Dr. Mariela Shibley.  👉 Learn more & sign up 🎓 Become an Expert Immigration Evaluator Join our Certificate Training Program to gain the skills and confidence needed to conduct effective immigration evaluations. 👉 Learn More Here 📘 Not Sure Where to Start as an Evaluator? Download our Free Guide to learn the essentials and see if this work is the right fit for you. 👉 Get your free guide 📲 Follow Us to Grow Your Expertise 🔹 Instagram 🔹 Facebook 🔹 LinkedIn  🌟 Join our private Facebook community for deeper discussions, peer support, and access to valuable training opportunities. 👉 Click here to join the group

    46 min

  8. 09/30/2025

    Relevant or Harmful? Ethical Guidelines for Report Writing

    Psychological immigration evaluations require clinicians to walk a fine line: include enough detail to be objective and credible, but avoid irrelevant information that could harm a client’s immigration case. This episode explores how to make those tough judgment calls in private practice, guided by the APA Ethics Code and forensic psychology standards. You’ll hear how to apply a “relevance and necessity” test, why certain disclosures belong in your private notes instead of your report, and how collaboration with immigration attorneys can protect both you and your clients. Real-world examples—like old shoplifting incidents, substance use history, or undocumented entries—illustrate when details support legal strategy and when they create unnecessary risk. For psychologists, social workers, and mental health professionals conducting psychological immigration evaluations in the US, this conversation offers a clear framework to strengthen your forensic reports, maintain ethical integrity, and safeguard your clients in the immigration process. Ready to Make an Impact? If you’re serious about doing immigration evaluations right way—without risking real lives—get the training and mentorship you need. 🎓💡  Use your skills to help level the playing field ⚖️ and make a real difference in people's lives.  🎓 Become an Expert Immigration Evaluator Join our Certificate Training Program to gain the skills and confidence needed to conduct effective immigration evaluations. 👉 Learn More Here 📘 Not Sure Where to Start as an Evaluator? Download our Free Guide to learn the essentials and see if this work is the right fit for you. 👉 Get your free guide 📲 Follow Us to Grow Your Expertise 🔹 Instagram 🔹 Facebook 🔹 LinkedIn  🌟 Join our private Facebook community for deeper discussions, peer support, and access to valuable training opportunities. 👉 Click here to join the group

    16 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Hey there, and welcome to Beyond Borders: The Immigration Evaluation Podcast! If you're new here, I’m Dr. Mariela Shibley, and this is the podcast for mental health professionals who want to expand their practice and make a real impact through immigration psychological evaluations.Here, you'll learn how to confidently conduct evaluations, connect with attorneys to gain referrals, and create a thriving practice. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the legal jargon, unsure about how to break into this field, or wondered how to turn your expertise into a sought-after service, this is the podcast for you.Expect deep dives into immigration evaluation processes, best practices for working with attorneys, and expert guidance on writing a thorough report. So, if you're ready to master immigration evaluations and grow a meaningful, sustainable practice, hit that subscribe button and get ready for Beyond Borders: The Immigration Evaluation Podcast. Can’t wait to have you along for the ride!

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